Yemen: mines continue to maim and kill civilians

04-04-2012 News Release 12/73

Sana'a (ICRC) – Anti-personnel landmines are still causing casualties in various parts of Yemen where fighting is taking place.

Civilians, including women and children, are usually the victims. The deadly devices pose a serious threat in areas such as in Sa'ada and Hajja governorates in the north, in Arhab region in the central part of the country as well as in the south.

"We have noticed an increase in the number of newly planted anti-personnel mines in some areas," said Eric Marclay, the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yemen. "The mines have resulted in an upsurge in casualties, especially among displaced people attempting to return to their villages. For us, this is unacceptable and a cause of great concern."

Decades of conflict have left Yemen with a legacy of thousands of anti-personnel mines despite clearance activities that have taken place in recent years. Any use of these weapons is unacceptable. In Yemen the use of mines is also illegal, not only under Yemeni law but also – as in 158 other countries – under the Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Convention of 1997.

This year will mark the 15th anniversary of the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Convention. A total of 159 States are party to the convention, including at least 35 that still have mine clearance obligations. The 2003 Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War has attracted 76 States Parties. A total of 70 States are party to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions and an additional 41 States have signed it.